if that clutch is above the tranny how does that oil get up there. Lame ass explanations ifn you ask me.That slanging is due to a leaky main seal drippng down in the clutch and being slung into that wall my opinion. Not the transmission.

Logged

May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty.

About the icons: The beer is tip link, if a tech saves ya some money buy em a 6 pack. The small green square=personal message. The green dot is a link to my web page on appliance repair and other general BS I love to post. The letter sends me email.I love fan letters! LOL

hay I have ben wrong in the past. I want a fugginf explanation porvavor ? haha LOL

Logged

May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty.

About the icons: The beer is tip link, if a tech saves ya some money buy em a 6 pack. The small green square=personal message. The green dot is a link to my web page on appliance repair and other general BS I love to post. The letter sends me email.I love fan letters! LOL

Let's clear the air here...you did not 'piss me off'. You just added more complications to her problem that weren't necessary, as did JW. But I'm used to that

I used to train technicians at Maytag on the Whirlpool products back in 1994-1997 when they were beginning their campaign on all-brand service. I was originally a Sears technician starting in 1974, and worked exclusively on Whirlpool prducts and we were trained at the Sears Technical Institute in Dallas. At one time, they actually had a college for this stuff, although it is gone now.

Back to the problem at hand. If the upper seal leaks (brake tube, agitator shaft), there will be oily brake pads and the ring around the wall of the cabinet. This is due to the leaking water which has displaced the oil in the transmission. You always replace the gearcase, clutch and spin tube if this occurs. On the other hand, small amounts of oil normally migrate out of the top of the transmission during operation just because they do not seal the tranny. The little washer that goes under the clutch is there to help contain splashing oil from the shaft area. If they sealed the transmission off, pressure would build up inside with the action of the multiple gears spinning around and would cause other problems, so they intentionally leave a small gap there.

Seeing traces of oil inside the clutch is not necessarily a sign the upper seal is involved, that's all. It happens quite a bit and is harmless. Seeing an oil ring like the pics above would lead to a major overhaul instead. I guess what provoked me the most was guys adding other factors to a seemingly straightforward repair, thus confusing the poster and maybe leading her to buy the spin tube instead of what she should have bought in the first place. The repair guy in her town was absolutely no help, selling her a spin tube without selling her the spanner wrench to remove it.

The only thing I would like to see differently on this forum is when I give someone a prognosis, unless I am completely off-base, there should be nobody else chiming in to complicate what should be a simple procedure. After all, average consumers have no idea what they are looking for in the first place unless we instruct them, so we don't want to fill their minds with details that may or may not apply to their predicament. I will not be offering any more advice unless asked.

repair-man,yesterday i thought i was done and didn't plan on posting anything else but felt the urge to after reading the last few posts. you are right, i am an "average" customer that knows nothing about washing machines. that is why i came to this forum. i was looking for people like you that knew what they were talking about to guide me along. i was very appreciative to get any and all advice that i did. on the other hand, yes it was confusing. i took on the major job of tearing my machine apart, (which i think i did a pretty good job and could put it back together the right way)if i need to. my husband is terrible at "fixing" things and has NO patience what soever. when i told him i was going to attempt it he warned me it would be tough but supported my decision. it's not because he is lazy or doesnt want to deal with it that he did not do this himself. (just to make that clear). anyhow, since i got home yesterday with the WRONG spin tube , i have not even went back into the laundry room out of frustration. i am currently online comparing the prices of new washing machines. We only have about $250-$300 to spend on one, and thats because my husband is going to work some over time to cover it. being limited on funds, we would be lucky to find one at that price, and one that would suit our needs and not break down every other month. Like I told you before, i totally respect you, and everyone else here that does this for a living, and has the kind hearts to give their advice for free to anyone who asks. i learned a lesson in that it's possible to have too many "cooks in the kitchen". after sleeping on it i have decided that im going to take the spin tube back, get my money, and either by a new washer or replace the clutch which i believe is around $40?? maybe im way off and that was another part? anyhow i'll either have thrown out a perfectly good machine that just needs a new part, or take a chance on one that has not even 1/2 the quality of the one i have. you said you wouldn't give any advice without being asked, so i'm asking. given the circumstances (limited funds, having no experience, etc.) which do you think would be the better alternative?

In your case Lee, I would take back the wrong part he sold you and trade it for the new clutch kit. Since he sold you the wrong part, there should be no quibbling. Try the new clutch in your machine and see if it runs OK afterwards. If so, a new machine is not needed. If not, you are only out $30-40 and can buy a different machine. Either way, you have begun your way into understanding how this machine functions and can show up your husband as the "Mr. Fixit" in your family

that was what i was leaning towards, i have the confidence i can do this and really don't want to give up. i think it's a good machine and if i have to spend another $30 it's worth it. i just wish we would have purchased the extended warranty. oh well too little too late. thanks for not being too frustrated with me.